Search Volume
When it comes to SEO, one of the most important concepts you need to understand is search volume. In simple terms, this data tells us how many times a keyword is searched on Google (or other search engines) during a specific period, typically a month.
But search volume isn’t just about a number.
It’s a metric that can completely transform how you plan your content strategy, organize your website architecture, and improve your titles and descriptions.
What Is Search Volume?
Search volume is the number of times a specific keyword is searched for by users on a search engine over a period of time (usually monthly). This allows you to understand how popular a term is and therefore how much traffic potential it may have if you manage to rank well for that keyword.
For example, if a keyword has a search volume of 10,000, it means that, on average, that query receives 10,000 searches per month. The higher the volume, the more people are searching for that information.
Why Is Search Volume Important?
It’s crucial because it helps you prioritize which keywords to focus on in your SEO strategy. Not all keywords are created equal.
Some may have an extremely low search volume, meaning that investing time and resources in them won’t have a significant impact on your site’s traffic. On the other hand, keywords with high volume can bring you thousands of visits per month if you manage to rank well for them.
What Is the Purpose of Search Volume in an SEO Strategy?
The search volume is a key metric for any Keyword Research strategy. It’s the compass that shows you which keywords are most important to work on and optimize. Let’s break down some of the ways you can use this data in your strategy.
1. Keyword Prioritization for Each URL
One of the first uses of search volume is to determine which keywords should be associated with each URL on your site.
For example, if you’re creating a product page for an eCommerce site, the search volume helps you select the most important keyword that should appear in the titles, headers, and metadata of that page.
Let’s say you’re optimizing a sports shoes page. If you find that the keyword “buy sports shoes” has a search volume of 20,000 searches per month, while “online running shoes” has 2,000, you know the first keyword should be your main target, as it can attract much more traffic.
2. Website Architecture Optimization
Search volume is also very useful for improving the architecture of a website. Through Keyword Research, you can identify which searches are most popular and how they group around a central theme.
With this information, you can structure your site so that each section or page is oriented towards the keywords with the highest search volume.
For example, if you find that there are several searches related to different types of shoes (running shoes, hiking shoes, basketball shoes), you can create a main category of “sports shoes” and then subcategories for each type. This way, you maximize the chances of capturing traffic for several related keywords.
3. Improvement of Titles and Descriptions
The search volume is crucial when optimizing your pages’ titles and descriptions.
If you know the volume of the most relevant keywords, you can ensure they’re strategically included in the titles and descriptions to improve your CTR (Click Through Rate) and increase your site’s visibility on the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages).
For example, if your research shows that “cheap running shoes” has a significantly high search volume, you should include that phrase in the titles and descriptions of pages aimed at attracting users looking for deals.
Tools for Knowing Search Volume
Understanding the search volume of a keyword is essential, but you need the right tools to access that data. Fortunately, there are several options on the market, ranging from free tools to more advanced and specialized solutions. Here are some of the best.
1. Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner is Google’s official tool for obtaining search volume data. Although it’s primarily designed for planning Google Ads campaigns, you can use it for your organic Keyword Research.
The advantage of Google Keyword Planner is that it provides data directly from the source, meaning Google, which makes it one of the most reliable sources. However, the downside is that sometimes it doesn’t offer exact data and, instead of showing a specific number, it gives you a broad range like “10K – 100K monthly searches,” which can make your analysis less precise.
2. DinoRank
Another excellent option for finding keywords and their search volume is DinoRank. This tool is very intuitive and allows you to conduct a quick and efficient Keyword Research.
What sets DinoRank apart is that, in addition to showing you the search volume, it also indicates in which countries these searches are conducted, which is perfect if you have a business with an international focus or if you want to optimize your SEO for a specific country.
Additionally, DinoRank offers an excellent balance between quality and price, making it a tool affordable for all budgets.
3. Ahrefs and SEMrush
Ahrefs and SEMrush are more advanced tools used by many SEO professionals. These platforms not only provide you with the search volume but also offer a wealth of additional data, such as keyword difficulty, search intent, and volume trends over time.
Both are extremely powerful tools, but they also come with a higher cost compared to DinoRank or Google’s Keyword Planner. If you’re working on large projects or need very specific data, either of these two options is ideal.
4. Ubersuggest
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, Ubersuggest, by Neil Patel, is a free tool that also provides search volume data. Although its results are not as detailed as those from Ahrefs or SEMrush, Ubersuggest is a good option for users with limited budgets or for those just starting out in the SEO world.
